1 Corinthians 14:1–40

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14 Pursue love, and adesire spiritual gifts,bbut especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who cspeaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks dedification and eexhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; 1for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Tongues Must Be Interpreted

6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by frevelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without 2significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a 3foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are 4zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the 5edification of the church that you seek to excel.

13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may ginterpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. hI will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing iwith the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” jat your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

20 Brethren, kdo not be children in understanding; however, in malice lbe babes, but in understanding be mature.

22 Therefore tongues are for a osign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, pwill they not say that you are 6out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 7And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report qthat God is truly among you.

Order in Church Meetings

26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, rhas a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. sLet all things be done for 8edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and tlet the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, ulet the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And vthe spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of 9confusion but of peace, was in all the churches of the saints.

34 xLet 1your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the ylaw also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37 zIf anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But 2if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39 Therefore, brethren, adesire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 bLet all things be done decently and in order.